Delaware Obituary Collection
(Obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in Delaware [with many Maryland obits that are associated with Delaware]).
Many obituaries from Dover and Rehoboth Beach.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Janet E. Duphily, 40, of Magnolia, was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 10, in Torbert Funeral Chapel South, Dover. Mrs. Duphily died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in her home.
Mrs. Duphily was born May 12, 1966, in Dover, daughter of Lois Godfrey DaPrato and the late Peter C. DaPrato.
She was a 1989 graduate of Marymount University, Arlington, Va., and was awarded an internship at Arlington Hospital.
Mrs. Duphily was an exercise physiologist, working for Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover and Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital.
She played tennis throughout her college years and was named most valuable player her sophomore year. She enjoyed needlepoint, cross-stitch and scrapbooking. She enjoyed being with her family and loved visiting Quimby Country in Averill, Vt.
Mrs. Duphily was a member of the Church of the Holy Cross, Dover.
She was preceded in death by her father, Peter C. DaPrato in January 2005.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Duphily is survived by her husband, Sean Duphily; and two children, Matthew Duphily and Sara Duphily, both of Magnolia.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Duphily’s name may be made to Quimby Country, P.O. Box 20, Averill, VT 05061.
Catherine Massaker
Catherine Massaker, 89, of Felton, died surrounded by her loving family and a dear friend Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Lewes.
Mrs. Massaker was born in Larksville, Pa., daughter of the late Joseph Yunsa and Catherine Nazgoda Yunsa.
She was a homemaker, an old-fashioned working housewife who believed in keeping a clean home and taking care of her family 24 hours a day. She was extremely dedicated to her family, and they were her life.
Mrs. Massaker’s earthly pilgrimage afforded her the opportunity to be a faithful witness for her dear savior and she touched many lives along the way. She was a faithful prayer warrior to family and friends and was not ashamed to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Her life was a testimony of humility, sacrifice and generosity. Her sweet, gentle, loving spirit and devotion to her family and friends will be greatly missed until their heavenly reunion.
She lived her life as a devoted Christian woman who believed in the power of prayer. She was loved and respected by everyone who knew her. She leaves behind treasured memories of her sweet spirit, humble attitude and loving devotion.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph W. Massaker; a brother, Michael; a sister, Mary Shaffer; and a grandson, Anthony “Tony” Pratt.
Mrs. Massaker is survived by a son, Joseph W. Massaker of Schriever, La.; four daughters, Barbara Emmett of Midlothian, Va., Catherine Pratt of Somerset, Ky., Ruth Kubasek of Felton and Henrietta Raczkowski of Hummelstown, Pa.; a sister, Henrietta Ziegler of Dallas, Pa.; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, a great-great grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Services will be in Pennsylvania at a later date.
Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Massaker’s name to a local Hospice chapter.
Arrangements are by Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington.
Harvene H. McKain
Memorial services for Harvene H. McKain, 80, of Frederica, were held Sunday, Feb. 10, in the Magnolia United Methodist Church, Magnolia. Mrs. McKain died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, in the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore.
Mrs. McKain was born in Annville, Pa., daughter of the late Harvey U.E. and Esther Ulrich Horn.
She worked at Wyeth Laboratories in Marietta, Pa., and later for the Kent County Wastewater Facility, retiring about 18 years ago.
Mrs. McKain was a member of the Modern Maturity Center, Dover, and the Frederica Senior Center. She loved her pets, loved to garden, and sang with the Magnolia Church Choir, as well as many local organizations. Mrs. McKain was a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by a brother, William Horn.
Mrs. McKain is survived by her son, Keith McKain of Milford; a daughter, Donna McKain of Mount Joy, Pa.; four grandchildren, Stephen, Kay, Susan and Michael; two great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
Arrangements were by the Trader Funeral Home, Dover.
Interment will be in Mount Annville Cemetery at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.
Memorial donations in Mrs. McKain’s name may be made to a local chapter of the SPCA.
Ruby A. Minner
Funeral services for Ruby A. Minner, 85, of Felton, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, Main Street, Felton, where friends may call one hour earlier. Mrs. Minner died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Minner was born in Goldsboro, Md., daughter of the late William and Martha Steward Austin.
She was a homemaker who enjoyed poetry, sewing and decorating.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 1988; and all of her siblings.
Mrs. Minner is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael F. and Pat Minner of Oxford, Conn.; a daughter, Michele A. Minner of Felton; and two grandchildren, Michael F. Minner Jr. and Jessica R. Minner.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Fred Leland Neal, 73, of Dover, will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the Church of the Holy Cross, Dover. Friends may call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover. Mr. Neal died of a stroke Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore.
Mr. Neal was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Winnsboro, S.C., son of the late Fred James Neal and Annie Viola Tisdale Neal.
In 1939 his family moved from South Carolina to southern California, where he lived until 1950, when he graduated with the first class of Mission High School in San Gabriel. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 16, and after his discharge in 1954, enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving two years as a tank mechanic in Massachusetts. He later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he trained as a jet mechanic. He was discharged in October 1960.
During his naval service, Mr. Neal saw action during the Korean War, where he took part in the Battle of Inchon and served three round-the-world cruises as well as tours in the Caribbean and Arctic. His Air Force service saw tours in the United States and in Europe.
Mr. Neal was a sports enthusiast his entire life. During his naval service, he boxed with the Sixth Fleet, winning and holding the championship for two years. He played semi-pro ice hockey as a goalie while in Massachusetts and turned pro, playing with the Sault Ste. Marie Indians. He played football at Hahn Air Base, West Germany, and, after his discharge, was on the semi-pro Providence Steam Rollers, a farm team for the then-Boston Patriots football team.
Mr. Neal retired from Delaware State University July 1, 1996, after 25 years as recreation manager of the game room. He received a highest level III certificate from Dick Ritger’s Academy for Coaches, Ithaca, N.Y., in August 1991.
He then worked for the Brunswick Bowling Corp. for eight years, starting as an assistant mechanic and working his way up to district mechanic for the New England states and New Brunswick, Canada.
Mr. Neal loved to ski and did so for more than 40 days each spring in Utah from 1999 through winter 2006. He started to ski when he retired and advanced to the level of intermediate skier. He enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing, the Buckley Reunion, family gatherings, photography, wildlife and bird watching, working in a vegetable or flower garden, gourmet cooking, sports, exercising, traveling and helping his neighbors and friends. Any errand took him longer because he met so many people he knew.
He was a member of the Young American Bowling Alliance-Collegiate Division, Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland Intercollegiate Bowling Conference, American Bowling Conference, Delaware Association of College Unions, International, Region III, Delaware State University Boosters Club and the 70-plus Ski Club at Solitude Resort in Utah.
Mr. Neal was a deeply religious man and asked to be baptized into the Catholic church at the age of 10. He was a very good person, happy, intelligent and funny.
He is survived by his wife, Marion Jean Buckley Whiting Neal; his children, Michael Joseph Neal of California, Stephen Thomas Neal of Massachusetts, Lisa Ann Neal Fletcher of Massachusetts and Susan Marie Neal Moralez of New Hampshire; and his stepchildren, Lynne Ann Whiting Widdison of Utah and John Roger Whiting of Delaware.
Mr. Neal also is survived by his siblings, Mary Ann Neal Benner of Maryland, Nora Almeta Neal Southern of California, Lowell Hudson Neal of Oregon, Margaret Frances Malone Kaiser of California and Antionette Caroline Malone Parsons of California; 17 nieces and nephews; 11 grandchildren; and a host of friends wherever he went.
Funeral services for Catherine Wright Arrington Phillips, 76, of Dover, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus St., Dover, where friends may call one hour earlier. Mrs. Phillips died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mrs. Phillips was born July 21, 1930, in Harrisburg, Pa., daughter of the late Herbert S. and Mary Dempsey Wright.
She was a homemaker and also worked for General Foods Corp. for 21 years, retiring at the age of 55.
Mrs. Phillips enjoyed cooking.
She was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, A. Milton Arrington, in 1987; and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Mrs. Phillips is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary R. and Carol Arrington of Dover, Ricky W. and Linda Arrington of Virginia, and Lindon R. Arrington of Seaford; a daughter, Robin Hite of Smyrna; a brother and his wife, William B. and Sally Wright of Greenwood; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Silver Lake Nursing Home, 1080 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904.
Elsie K. Scales
Elsie K. Scales, 66, of Magnolia, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Ms. Scales was born in Wilkes Barre, Pa., the daughter of the late Otto and Dorothy Tull Bland.
She graduated from American University, Washington.
Ms. Scales served as senior probation officer with Camden County, N.J. She moved to the Magnolia area in 2003 and commuted to her job until her retirement in 2005.
She is survived by a son, James Bland of Magnolia; a sister, Sylvia J. Cooper of Magnolia; a niece, Michele Guimond of Carrollton, Md.; and a nephew, Anson Cooper of Atlantic City, N.J.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Ms. Scales’ name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reeds Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.
Arrangements are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover.
Toni M. Papillo Seward
Funeral services for Toni M. Papillo Seward, 44, of Hartly, were held Friday, Feb. 9, in Faries Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Seward died Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover surrounded by her family and friends.
She worked as the manager of the bakery department for Bylers Store, Dover, for the last seven years.
Mrs. Seward’s hobbies included riding motorcycles and cooking. She was an avid fan of Nascar driver Tony Stewart.
She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Papillo.
Mrs. Seward is survived by her husband, Ernie Seward; a daughter, Danielle Rae Seward and her fiancé Keith Bowers of Dover; a son, Bunk Seward; her mother, Elizabeth Rogers Marino and her husband, Anthony of Hartly; a sister, Deborah Marker of Millington, Md.; three brothers, Michael Papillo of Dover, and Nicola Papillo and Robert Papillo, both of Hartly; a granddaughter, Zoe Rhea Bowers; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Seward’s name may be made to Faries Funeral Directors Inc., 29 S. Main St., Smyrna, DE 19977.
Eugene Robert Spayd
A memorial service for Eugene Robert Spayd, 73, of California City, Calif., was held Jan. 27. Mr. Spayd died Jan. 5, 2007, at his home.
Mr. Spayd was born June 13, 1933, at Bowers Beach, son of the late Glancy “Tim” Spayd, who died in 1949, and Lula Wix Spayd, who died March 24, 1999.
He was raised in Magnolia and in his youth attended the Magnolia Methodist Church.
Mr. Spayd was a 1951 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School. Following a term of service in the U.S. Navy, he worked for the National Register Co. and as a Realtor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, June S. Waller, who passed away Dec. 13, 1994.
Mr. Spayd is survived by a son, Timothy Eugene Spayd; and three daughters, Pamela S. Sherwin and Laura S. Ralston, both of Florida and Jessica J. Spayd of California.
He also is survived by four sisters, Gloria S. Gray and Lida S. King, both of Dover, Evelyn S. Forbes of Magnolia and Gertrude S. Johnson of Ravensdale, Wash.; six grandchildren, Nicholas Peters, Austin Bradshaw, Kyle Bradshaw, Amanda Prescott and Sarah Spayd, all of Florida, and Lanie Reynolds of Texas; and a great-grandson, Dean Reynolds.
Mr. Spayd’s ashes were scattered across the Pacific Ocean off Malibu, Calif.
Arrangements were by the Davis Funeral Home, McFarland, Calif.
William Henry Taylor
William Henry Taylor, 37, of Dover died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.
Mr. Taylor was the son of John W. Taylor Sr. and Virginia Willen Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a roofer for Tazelaar Roofing in Dover.
He enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting with his brothers and family. He loved playing with his kids, and racing go-carts. He was always a big clown, kidding around with everyone, but would help anyone in need. He loved eating cheese steaks from the Claymont Sub Shop.
Mr. Taylor attended the Victory Chapel, Dover.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings, Clark H. Payne of Florida, Mickey Payne and his wife Patty of Georgetown, John W. Taylor Jr. and his wife Paulene of Little Heaven, Lucky Pete Phillip Taylor of Sacramento, Calif., Aurelia Ellen Turley of Sacramento and Brenda Joyce Hopkins of California; a special friend, Jason C. Tigg; his children, Tabitha Lynn Taylor and Kathleen Taylor of Vermont; and a niece and a nephew, Joe and Ashley Payne.
Arrangements were by the Watson Funeral Home, Millsboro.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Taylor’s name may be made to the Delaware Hospice Southern Division, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
